Exodus 13:1-22

The Consecration of the Firstborn. The March to Etham

1-16. The Consecration of the Firstborn.

All Israel was holy unto the Lord: see on Exodus 19:5; Exodus 19:6. But the firstborn of man and beast were specially consecrated to Him, as the part representing the whole. There was a special fitness in the consecration of the firstborn, seeing they had been spared in the destruction which overtook the Egyptians. The firstborn of mankind were to be consecrated to the service of Jehovah as priests; the firstborn of animals were to be offered in sacrifice, if clean animals; if not, they were to be redeemed at a price. Afterwards the whole tribe of Levi was consecrated to the priestly service in lieu of the firstborn: see Numbers 3:40. The firstfruits of the field were also claimed by Jehovah: see e.g. Exodus 22:29.